Eaton - The Great War - Panel 3

E Faulkner………………………A.B (?)

 

Name: FAULKNER, ERNEST

Rank: Able Seaman Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: (RFR/CH/B/1938). H.M.S. "Alert." Age: 34 Date of Death: 25/03/1916 Service No: 187226

Additional information: Husband of Mary E. Faulkner, of 71, Muriel Rd., Norwich, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 16. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=3050930

 

No match on Norlink

 

There is not an Ernest Faulkner with a Norwich connection shown on either the 1901 or 1911 Census for England & Wales. There is an Ellen Mary coming up on the free high level search available online for the 1911 Census who is residing in Norwich, age 29.

 

The Royal Navy Casualties site lists A,B Faulkner as drowning on this day. There are no other fatalities recorded from the Alert at this time.

 

In 1915 the sloop ALERT was fitted out at Bombay for service as a base ship for the Naval rivercraft on the Shat-el-Arab. She seems to have spent 1916 at Abadan being involved with the manning, storing and fitting out of newly-built gunboats, moving to Basra in 1917.

www.1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/lofiversion/index.p...

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ELB Fear…………………..2nd Lt

 

Name: FEAR, EDGAR LESLIE BRINSDON

Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment: Somerset Light Infantry Unit Text: No. 3 Coy. 2nd/4th Bn.

Age: 19 Date of Death: 11/04/1918

Additional information: Son of Mr. E. D. and Mrs. M. A. Fear, of 391, Unthank Rd., Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 17. Memorial: JERUSALEM MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1645140

 

2/Lt Fear can be seen here:-

norlink.norfolk.gov.uk/02_Catalogue/02_013_PictureTitleIn...

 

The 2 year old Edgar L B Fear can be found on the 1901 Census at 25 Bradford Road, Shipley, Yorkshire, the town of his birth. This is the household of his parents, Edgar D, (a 34 year old Inspector of Schools from Bristol) and Mary A. (aged 33 and also from Bristol).The Fear’s other child is Elsie G. (aged 7,born Bradford). Making up the household is one live-in servant. By the time of the 1911 Census, Edgar L.B. is to be found at Barnstaple along with the rest of the family.

 

Notes from the 75th Division Diary for 9/10th April 1918

On the 232nd Infantry Brigade front, the 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles, after some sharp fighting, seized El Kefr but the attack on Hill in A.15.b, met with strong resistance and its capture by the 2/4th Somerset LI. was not completed until 0945. At 1100 the 1/5th Devons advanced from Deir Ghussaneh to attack Berukin, they immediately came under very heavy shell fire which together with the nature of the country made progress very slow. At 1600 two companies assaulted the village with one company in support and the remaining company was placed on Hill in A.15.b. to give covering fire, In spite of very heavy machine gun fire the assault was successful and the village consolidated.

 

The enemy kept up heavy machine gun fire on our line throughout the night and on the 232nd Infantry Brigade front their patrols were very active. El Kefr and Berukin were both attacked, the attack on the latter only being driven off by the 1/5th Devons and 1 Coy 2/4th Somerset LI after severe hand to hand fighting in the village itself.

 

Interestingly Turkish and German ref's seem to state that attacks make by the 75th on the 9th and 10th April 1918 were actually failures and were repulsed by the German Asia Corps. Little is made of actions on the Wadi Deir Ballut at this time. They state the offensive was to continue again at the end of April.

1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t...

warpath.orbat.com/divs/75_div.htm

 

Our positions on the Ephraim Mountains along the Ballut Ridge were at this time overlooked from three commanding hills in the possession of the enemy, known as Arara, Rafat, and Three Bushes. Further to the right were the villages of El Kep and Berukin, also on high ground. Owing to the conformation of the country the key of this district was Arara. In order to improve the general line, and in preparation for a further advance, it was decided to move forward and to capture all these commanding positions. Accordingly, on the morning of the 9th April, the line moved forward. The village of El Kep was a nest of machine guns. After heavy bombardment it was captured after stubborn resistance. Berukin was also captured after sharp fighting, but further progress in this locality was held up. Next day these villages were heavily counter-attacked, and, though they were firmly held, further progress was out of the question. Meanwhile, a battalion of Somersets had captured Rafat, and a battalion of Dorsets Three Bushes Hill. Enemy shelling now became intense, followed up by counter-attacks, all of which were repulsed. The intention had been that the Somersets should capture Rafat first and then take Arara, the main objective of these operations. The capture of Three Bushes Hill was necessary to secure Arara and Rafat from reverse fire. But, to enable Arara to be held, it was also necessary to capture other heights to the south-east, notably one called The Pimple. Most of these heights were captured, but, although determined efforts were made, the enemy could not be dislodged from The Pimple.

 

Nevertheless, the Somersets moved forward from Rafat and successfully established themselves upon Arara. Here they were fired at from all sides. They found that Arara was itself commanded from a height called Sheikh Silbih, a thousand or two yards beyond, while the reserve fire from the machine guns on The Pimple soon made their position on Arara untenable. They fell back upon, and firmly established themselves in, their positions at Rafat. One lad, who was left behind in this retirement, had a terrible experience. Wounded in three or four places, he was unable to withdraw with the remainder of his company. He lay out on Arara for three days, after which he was discovered by some Turks. These proceeded to strip him, whereupon he made known to them that he was still alive. They then bayonetted him, and left him for dead. He lay out there for yet another day, now naked, when he was found by a German stretcher-party. These took pity upon him, and removed him to a hospital where he was nursed back to life.

www.gutenberg.org/files/19822/19822.txt

 

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J L Flanagan………………..Gunner

 

Name: FLANAGAN, JAMES LEONARD

Rank: Gunner Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery Unit Text: "D" Bty. 38th Bde. Age: 19 Date of Death: 08/06/1917 Service No: 155289

Additional information: Son of James and Annie Flanagan, of Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. Q. 17. Cemetery: TROIS ARBRES CEMETERY, STEENWERCK

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=203392

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 3 year old James living at 46 St Phillips Road, Norwich. This is the household of his parents, James aged 59, a publican from Manchester, and Annie, aged 40 and from London. Their other child is Walter, aged 5.

 

Trois Arbres was the site of a Casualty Clearing Station from July 1916 to April 1918.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=200005...

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GF Foster………………….Gunner

 

Name: FOSTER Initials: G

Rank: Gunner Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery Unit Text: "A" Bty. 295th Bde. Age: 20 Date of Death: 03/04/1918 Service No: 800983

Additional information: Son of Herbert William and Emma Jane Foster, of 16, Eaton St., Eaton, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XIII. A. 4. Cemetery: BIENVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=265774

 

Brother of H Foster below

 

No match on Norlink

 

There appears to be no obvious match on either the 1901 or 1911 Census for Herbert or Emma. The occupants of this address on the 1901 Census are the Garner family, including John listed below.

 

Bienvillers Military Cemetery was begun in September 1915 by the 37th Division, carried on by other Divisions in the line until March 1917, reopened from March to September 1918, when the village was again near the front line, and completed in 1922-24 when a number of graves, mainly of 1916, were brought in from the battlefields of the Ancre.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=26502&...

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HC Foster……………….Private

 

Name: FOSTER Initials: H C

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Lincolnshire Regiment Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Age: 25 Date of Death: 04/11/1916 Service No: 10441

Additional information: Son of Mr. H. W, and Mrs. E. J. Foster, of 16, Eaton St., Eaton, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: O. I. D. 5. Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=517582

 

Brother of G Foster above

 

There appears to be no obvious match on either the 1901 or 1911 Census for Herbert or Emma. The occupants of this address on the 1901 Census are the Garner family, including John listed below.

 

During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city. Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=2800&a...

 

I can only assume that Private Foster died of wounds or illness, as the 2nd Lincolns don’t appear to have been in the front line at this time.

 

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WG Fulcher………………Trooper

 

I thought I’d found the relevant individual on the CWGC listed as a Private in the Northamptonshire Regiment who died in 1917. However there is a picture of Trooper William George Fulcher on Norlink. He served with the Norfolk Yeomanry, Kings Own Royal Regiment. The accompanying notes read “Born on 23rd April 1897, Trooper Fulcher enlisted on 21st February 1916 and died 29th January 1918”

norlink.norfolk.gov.uk/02_Catalogue/02_013_PictureTitleIn...

 

There is no-one with the surname Fulcher on the CWGC database that matches those details.

 

Using a search engine on the CWGC database and looking for those that died on the 29th January 1918, I can’t see any possible mis-spellings either.

 

The most likely match on the 1901 Census is a 3 year old William G, Fulcher, born Norwich and living at 102 Goldwell Street. This is the household of his parents, George W, (aged 33 and a Market Gardener from Norwich), and Ann, (aged 27 and from Tibenham)

 

There were three battalions of the Norfolk Yeomanry. The 1st/1st was converted to infantry in 1917 and became the 12th Battalion Norfolk Regiment. They were serving in the Palestine Campaign at the time of Trooper Fulcher’s death. The 2nd/1st were in England at the time of Trooper Fulcher’s death. The 3rd/1st had been disbanded.

www.1914-1918.net/CAVALRY/norfolkyeo.htm

 

 

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S C Fuller…………………………..Private

 

Name: FULLER Initials: S C

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 7th Bn.

Date of Death: 19/09/1917 Service No: 40659

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. M. 11. Cemetery: MONCHY BRITISH CEMETERY, MONCHY-LE-PREUX

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=28662

 

Private Sidney Charles Fuller can be seen here:-

norlink.norfolk.gov.uk/02_Catalogue/02_013_PictureTitleIn...

The accompanying notes read “Private Fuller was born in Norwich, 25th July 1891, the son of Frank and Emma Fuller. He enlisted in the East Anglian Artillery in 1908, but later retired as a Corporal in 1913. He rejoined the same company under the Derby Scheme in May 1916 and was transferred to the Northampton Regiment, and afterwards the 7th Norfolks. He was killed at Monchy, 19th September 1917”

 

The 1901 Census has the 9 year old Sidney C, (born Lynn, contrary to the Norlink notes) living at 9 York Street, Norwich. This is the household of his parents, Frank, (aged 38 and a Coal Merchant Clerk from Lynn) and Emma H. (aged 34 and from Lynn). The rest of the family, all born Lynn, are:

 

Doris E……………aged 4

Frank T…………..aged 8

Violet M…………..aged 6

Walter B…………..aged 11

 

19th November 1917.

The battalion appears to have been in action at Monchy. Casualties are

 

Private F C Barwood 40627 from Oulton Broad

Private S C Fuller 40659 (Commemorated on the Parish of Eaton, Norwich War memorial)

Private W R Gibbs 3/7057

Corporal J Howes 29769

Private Marshall Ambrose Moore 22896 from Tunstead aged 21

Private E. Myall 205176 from Buntingford, Herts

Private R Neal 29239

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Douglas Gallpen……………….Corporal

 

Probably

Name: GALLPEN, DOUGLAS JAMES

Rank: Corporal Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: "B" Coy. 7th Bn.

Age: 26 Date of Death: 13/10/1915 Service No: 15651

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Gallpen, of 10, Bates Avenue, Darlington.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 30 and 31. Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1763440

 

There is a picture of Corporal Gallpen on Norlink:-

norlink.norfolk.gov.uk/02_Catalogue/02_013_PictureTitleIn...

The title of the picture confirms that individual served in the 7th Norfolks, but there are no other notes or details given.

 

The 1901 Census has the 11 year old Douglas J., born Norwich, living at 5 College Road, Norwich. This is the household of his parents, Charles G, (aged 43 and a Printer from Godminster, Hants) and Jessie, (aged 44 and from Glasgow). Their other children, all born Norwich, are:-

 

Jessie H. ……………………aged 3

Melville N……………………aged 10

Norman C…………………..aged 12

Ronald E………………………aged 8

 

Also living with them are Sidney’s paternal grandmother, (Caroline Gallpen, widowed, aged 80 and originally from Culroy, Scotland) and maternal grandmother, (Henrietta Guthrie, widowed, aged 75 and from Godmanchester) as well as his mothers maiden sister, (Henrietta Guthrie, aged 35 and a Milliner from Darlington)

 

The first Kitchener Battalion raised by the Norfolk Regiment, 7 Battalion was formed at Shorncliffe. Uniforms, equipment and blankets were slow in arriving and they initially wore emergency blue uniforms and carried dummy weapons. 1,114 men from the battalion were killed during the First World War. After arrival in France they took over trenches 113-120 at Ploegsteert Wood on 4th July 1915. On 12th October 1915 the Battalion moved from billets to a line in front of the St Elie Quarries, taking over from the Coldstream Guards. The attack was planned to go ahead the following day under a smoke cloud with the Norfolks closing on the German trenches from both ends of their position thus straightening their line, their own trenches being in a semi-circle. The left side of the Battalion was also tasked with bombing a German communications trench. A bright sunny day with an ideal wind for moving the smoke towards the enemy positions, the artillery bombardment began at 12:00 and was intensive by 13:45. 54 heavy and 86 field howitzers and 286 field guns fired on enemy trenches in the area of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, Fosse 8, the Quarries, Gun Trench and the positions south to Chalk Pit Wood. It failed to cause sufficient damage to the enemy positions. The smoke barrage went wrong and ceased by 13:40, twenty minutes before the attack was launched at 14:00 and was thus very thin. German machine gun fire from in front and from the direction of Slag Alley, opposite the Norfolks right flank, enfiladed their attack. Whilst they gained a foothold in the Quarries and consolidated the position they were unable to advance further. In the battalions first serious engagement they lost 5 Officers killed or died of wounds and 6 wounded, and 66 other ranks killed, 196 wounded and 160 missing.

Source: 1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42270

 

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J Garner……………………….Private

 

Probably

Name: GARNER, JOHN WILLIAM ALFRED

United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 9th Bn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 15/09/1916 Service No: 23318

Additional information: Son of John William and Eleanor Garner, of 29, Bluebell Rd., Eaton, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 1 C and 1 D. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=747746

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 6 year old John W A, living at 16 Eaton Street, Eaton. This is the household of his widowed paternal grandfather, William, (aged 42 and a Labourere\Market Gardener from Reymerstone, Norfolk) with whom his parents, John W, (aged 27 and a Brewers Draysman from Eaton) and Eleanor, (aged 28 and from Norwich), are living. John and Eleanor also have a son Albert, (aged 4).

15th September 1916 Battle of the Somme

The last great Allied effort to achieve a breakthrough came on 15 September in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette with the initial advance made by 11 British divisions (nine from Fourth Army, two Canadian divisions on the Reserve Army sector) and a later attack by four French corps.

The battle is chiefly remembered today as the debut of the tank. The British had high hopes that this secret weapon would break the deadlock of the trenches. Early tanks were not weapons of mobile warfare—with a top speed of 2 mph (3.2 km/h), they were easily outpaced by the infantry—but were designed for trench warfare. They were untroubled by barbed wire obstacles and impervious to rifle and machine gun fire, though highly vulnerable to artillery. Additionally, the tanks were notoriously unreliable; of the 49 tanks available on 15 September, only 32 made it to the start line, and of these, only 21 made it into action

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Flers-Courcelette

 

An intense preliminary bombardment began on 12 September and at 6.20am on Friday 15 September the advance began in mist and smoke. XIV Corps attack, on the extreme right, where hopes of breakthrough were pinned, fared badly; 56th Division and 6th Division lost heavily as tanks and artillery support failed to neutralise vital defensive positions

www.cwgc.org/somme/content.asp?menuid=27&id=27&me...

 

151 Soldiers of the 9th Battalion appear to have died on this day.

William Aldis, age 25 of Alpington, Norfolk

Herbert Aldis, age 22, his brother, of Alpington, Norfolk

Kenneth Alexander, age 23, of Long Stratton

Frederick Bailey

William Baker, age 29, born Shropham nr Thetford, resident Watton

W M Bale, age 23 of Broome, Bungay

Robert Barber

Stephen Barker, age 20, of Postwick, Norwich

Richard Barnes

2nd Lt John Bashford

Percy Bayes

William Beck, age 19, of Brundall

Arthur Betts

Edward Betts, age 33, of Great Melton

William Bezance, age 21, of Great Yarmouth

John Bird, age 27, of Seething

William Bloomfield, age 20, of Roydon, Diss

John Blowers, age 40, of Castleacre, Kings Lynn

Augustus Bolderstone, age 22, of Burnham Thorpe

Burrel Bond

H Bradbrook, age 20, native of Overstrand

Albert Brock, age 27, Hardwick

A W Brooks, age 32, North Pickenham

Paul Samuel Brooks, age 35, Filby and Norwich

James Brown

Bertie Brown, age 29, from Norwich

Arthur Bryant, age 22, of Winfarthing

Richard Bullard

Frederick Burton

James Bussey, age 26, of Langley

William Butcher

Richard Carver

W Carver

Albert Caston

James Catchpole, age 22, of Dickleburgh

Alfred Clarke,

Frederick Clarke, age 21, of Gorleston

C Clarke

Geoffrey Collins, age 20, of Great Yarmouth

Charles Constable, age 19, Albany Road, Catton, Norwich

Albert Copeman

James Curry

W Dann

Robert Davey, age 32 from Bermondsey, London

Frederick Dawson, age 20, of Burnham Thorpe

Captain William De Caux

W Dewing, age 19, of Great Walsingham

George Dixon

D Doran

George Douglas

Company Sergeant Major Samuel Earnshaw, age 32, of Grant Street, Norwich

Sidney Easter

George Ellis

Arthur English

E L Fawkes, of Narborough

Herbert Fisher, age 21, of Stoke Holy Cross

Leonard Foster

F A Fox

Edward Francis

Robert Futter

Fernby Gamble

John Garner, age 21, of Bluebell Road, Eaton, Norwich

Thomas Gent, age 24, of Feltwell, Brandon

H W Gibbons, age 22

Robert Goatson

Robert Godbolt

Lieutenant John Goddard, age 21, of Harrow, Middlesex

M F Gotts

Austin Gower age 24 of Wortwell

John Green, age 27, of Castleacre, Kings Lynn

Henry Grimmer, age 23, of Haddiscoe

Arthur Groom

Louis Gunton

Francis Gurney, age 20, of Fenny Stratford, Bucks

Charles Gutberlet

George Hagon

Arthur Halls, age 25

William Harnwell

A W Harrison

J E Hayes

Frederick Helsdon

Sam Hendry

William Heyhoe

Christopher Horn, age 24, of Thetford and Garboldisham

Matthew Howling, age 21, of Brisley, Elmham

W Huggins

E R Hunt

Sidney James

Frederick Kenny

Charles Kettle, age 32, of Felbrigg

George Kitchen, age 37, of Diss

E A Lambert, age 24, of Saxlingham

C E Larkins

Joseph Larter, age 28, of Swainsthorpe

G Lawes

Charles Lawrence, age 21, of Harpole, Northamptonshire

Sidney Laws, age 21, of Stradsett

Alfred Layton

Harry Leggett, age 26, of Wymondham

Ernest Leman

Douglas Lidington, age 37, of London

Edwin London, age 25, of Great Yarmouth

Charles Love, age 19, of Elmham

Thomas Masters, age 26, of Docking

R Mayes

A Meachen

Cecil Meek

Alfred Merton

George Mooney, age 23, of Pimlico, London

John Moore

Hugh Morter, age 27, of Hoveton St Peter

James Moy, of Kings Lynn

Charles Nash

Cecil Newton

F Nunn, age 20, of Eccles near Attleborough

John Osborne, age 22, of Harpley

James Palmer

Walter Peake, age 21, of Roydon, Diss

William Peeling

William Pidgeon

William Pinner, age 31, of Little Snoring and East Harling

Sergeant Benjamin Povey, age 30, of Newbury, Berks

B A Preston, age 30, of Bale, Melton Constable

Ernest Pye

W Quantrill, age 19, of Millers Lane, New Catton, Norwich

Frank Raines

Herbert Ramm

W F Read, age 18, of Swaffham and West Raynham

Sergeant Albert Reece, age 28, of Cardiff

Robert Reeve

Harry Rowell

F Rush

Walter Sargent, age 24, of Maida Vale, London

Rudolph Saunders

Sidney Smith age 24, of Northrepps and Norwich

George Smith

Benjamin Snelling

Frederick Sowells

Reginald Staff

Aubrey Stone

Henry Suffling, of Kentish Town, London

George Temple

Thomas Tooley

George Townshend

William Turner, age 26, of Thorpe Market

Bertie Wakefield, age 23, of Guist

Archie Ward

Thomas Warnes

George Watson

Richard Webb

 

There are five more men from the 9th listed as dying on the 16th September, with three buried in cemeteries associated with the casualty clearing stations set up to deal with the seriously wounded of the Somme battles. The other two are listed on the Thiepval monument as having no known grave.

 

All names located courtesy of “Geoffs Search Engine”

www.hut-six.co.uk/cgi-bin/search14-21.php

 

What is known is that on 15th September the battalion was engaged in very heavy fighting as part of the Battle of the Somme and had taken up a position near the village of Ginchy in order to attack a German strongpoint called ‘the Quadrilateral’. As part of this attack the British were to use a new weapon for the first time; the tank was to be used to help punch the way through. It was hoped that the very presence of such a weapon would help to carry the day but unfortunately for the Norfolks the new weapon was to prove disastrous.

 

Tank tactics had yet to be worked out and little or no exercises had been conducted between the infantry and the tankies. Instead of being used en masse the tanks were used in penny packets all along the line and their effectiveness was thus reduced. Three tanks were supposed to precede the Norfolks twenty minutes before they went over the top. Two of these broke down. The third became totally disorientated and mistook the Norfolks forming up trench for the German front line and began to saturate the whole length of the trench with machine gun fire. A great many Norfolks were killed or wounded before one of the company officers managed to stop the tank and point it in the right direction. Despite these enormous losses the battalion managed to advance but was held up in front of uncut barbed wire that a preliminary bombardment was supposed to have cut. Here they were pinned down for most of the day, all the time being subject to German shellfire and casualties rose. On this single day the battalion suffered 432 casualties, about half their strength.

www.oldbuckenham-pri.norfolk.procms.co.uk/pages/viewpage....

 

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A Gayford…………………………Private

 

Name: GAYFORD, ALBERT EDWARD

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 9th Bn.

Age: 17 Date of Death: 28/10/1915 Service No: 16181

Additional information: Son of Arthur William Gayford, of 33, Church Lane, Eaton, Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. C. 1A. Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=144094

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 2 year old Albert living at 33 Church Lane, Eaton. This is the household of his parents, Arthur, (a 37 year old Carpenter from Drayton, Norfolk), and Evelyn, (aged 29 and from Lammas, Norfolk). Completing the family is their 7 month old son, Ernest.

 

During the First World War, the village of Lijssenthoek was situated on the main communication line between the Allied military bases in the rear and the Ypres battlefields. Close to the Front, but out of the extreme range of most German field artillery, it became a natural place to establish casualty clearing stations. The cemetery was first used by the French 15th Hopital D'Evacuation and in June 1915, it began to be used by casualty clearing stations of the Commonwealth forces. From April to August 1918, the casualty clearing stations fell back before the German advance and field ambulances (including a French ambulance) took their places.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=14900&...

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EB Gilbert……………………….2nd Lt

 

Name: GILBERT, EDWARD BURTON

Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers Unit Text: 25th Bn.

Age: 20 Date of Death: 21/03/1918

Additional information: Son of Mrs. M. B. Gilbert, of 81, College Rd., Norwich, and the late Mr. A. B. Gilbert.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. A. 3. Cemetery: LEBUCQUIERE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=184460

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 3 year old Edward B. Gilbert, (born Stoke Newington, London), living at 114 Earlham Road, Norwich. This is the household of his married mother Minnie B, (aged 36 and originally from Norwich, although all her children are shown as born Stoke Newington). His father’s absense is not accounted for . The other children are Albert M. (aged 13), Nelson, (aged 8), and Nora, (aged 10).

 

Neither Minnie or her eldest son Albert appear to be on the 1891 Census.

 

Lt Gilbert was employed by the Railway Passengers Assurance Company

, one of the Companies that was part of the Norwich Union Insurance empire.

www.aviva.com/index.asp?pageid=1435&letter=g

 

25th (Service) Battalion (Frontiersmen)

Formed in London on 12 February 1915 by the Legion of Frontiersmen.

10 April 195 : embarked at Plymouth for East Africa, arriving Mombasa 4 May 1915.

Left for England at end of May 1917. Disbanded at Putney on 29 June 1918.

www.1914-1918.net/royalfus.htm

 

On March 21, 1918 the Germans launched a major offensive against the British Fifth Army, and the right wing of the British Third Army.

The artillery bombardment began at 4.40 am on 21 March. The bombardment [hit] targets over an area of 150 square miles, the biggest barrage of the entire war. Over 1,100,000 shells were fired in five hours...[

Although the British had learned the approximate time and location of the offensive, the weight of the attack and the preliminary bombardment was an unpleasant surprise. The Germans were also fortunate in that the morning of the attack was foggy, allowing the stormtroopers leading the attack to penetrate deep into the British positions undetected.

By the end of the first day the British had lost near 20,000 dead and near 35,000 wounded and the Germans had broken through at several points on the front of the British Fifth Army. After two days Fifth Army was in full retreat. As they fell back, many of the "redoubts" were left to be surrounded and overwhelmed by the following German infantry. The right wing of Third Army also retreated, to avoid being outflanked.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_Offensive

 

As I can find no record of the 25th fighting in France, and Lt Gilbert is the only casualty for that unit on a day when so many British battalions suffered dreadfully, I can only assume he was serving temporarily with another unit.

 

Of course it may be co-incidence, but the 25th Northumberland Fusiliers were involved, and after putting up stern resistance and being surrounded, the unit was forced to surrender.

www.wiseacres.co.uk/ww1/21MAR18.HTM

 

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E Lionel Goodchild………………..Private

 

Probably

Name: GOODCHILD Initials: E L

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 8th Bn.

Date of Death: 28/04/1916 Service No: 13179

Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot I. Row F. Grave 15. Cemetery: CORBIE COMMUNAL CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=20981

 

No match on Norlink

 

There are 42 Edward Goodchilds listed on the 1901 Census for England & Wales alone, none with an obvious connection to Norfolk. Similarly a search for the surname Goodchild and a connection with Norfolk through birth or current residence doesn’t produce a male with a first name beginning with either “E” or “L”.

 

The Battalion had been in the Somme region since summer, 1915. During this time they were to become familiar with the routine of life in the trenches. As with other front line units, they spent time in and out of the lines, experiencing both the dull and unpleasant realities of trench warfare and the occasional action in the form of raiding parties, etc.

(Although this was written about another Battalion in the same Brigade, I’m sure that it applies equally to the 8th Norfolks)

 

www.6throyalberks.co.uk/1stJuly/default.html

 

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GK Hampton……………………..2nd Lt

 

Name: HAMPTON, GEORGE KENNETH

Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 1st/4th Bn.

Age: 21 Date of Death: 16/08/1915

Additional information: Son of George H. S. and Dorothy Hampton, of Dartford House, Newmarket Rd., Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 17. Cemetery: AZMAK CEMETERY, SUVLA

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=601830

 

No match on Norlink

 

The most likely match on the 1901 Census is a 7 year old George K., born Redcar and now living at 22 Cleveland Terrace, Darlington. This is the home of his parents, George, (aged 50, a Director of a Copper and Brass Works, retired from the Indian Civil Service and born possibly in Middlesex?) and Dorothy, (aged 37 and from Stockton, Durham). Their other children are:-

 

Eric(?) J………………aged 8.……………born India

Marjorie(?)………….aged 11.………….born India

Phyllis M………………aged 10.………….born Gt.Gyton, Yorks.

 

The Hampton’s have two live in servants

 

The 1/4 Battalion, an unwieldy title usually shortened to the 4th, were part of 163rd Brigade of 54th Division and all the units of the Division were East Anglian Territorials and as such could not be compelled to serve overseas, as the territorials had been raised as a home defence organisation. However, the vast majority willingly volunteered for foreign service

and after a period of kitting out and training the battalion left Liverpool in July 1915 for Mudros, a Greek island and a staging post for operations at Gallipoli. The story of that operation is long and complex and needless to say was not going too well so the powers that be ordered another operation to try to remedy the situation by putting in an amphibious outflanking movement at Suvla Bay and these landings took place from 9th Aug 1915 onwards. The 4th Battalion landed the next day (10th).

By the middle of October the Battalion had only 258 men fit for duty from the almost 1000 they had started with.

 

www.oldbuckenham-pri.norfolk.procms.co.uk/pages/viewpage....

 

Captain Montgomery’s (1st 4th)notes give the following account

" 14th. - Our men were now getting exhausted from hard work and lack of food. We sent up some food to them in the early morning. They were well off for water as they had four wells, but they ran considerable risk in getting it.

" 15th. - lt was decided that our first line should be relieved by the Essex brigade. I, from my ridge, was to give covering fire.

The 1st Battalion Essex advanced well and lost few men. The other battalions, who had delayed, suffered more severely. All we could do was to keep down the fire of the snipers by shooting into the trees. Rumour has it that some of these snipers were tied to trees, with water and food within reach. Women snipers have been caught within our lines with their faces, arms, legs, and rides painted green.

After dark our men began to come in. Some came in well, but there were cases where the confusion was great. The last to come in were a party of 100-150 with Captains Hughes and Fisher. These officers had behaved magnificently throughout this show and they finished by leading the men back in very good order."

On the 16th both the Norfolk battalions were moved to a point near Kiretch Tepe Sirt on the ridge running north-east from SuvIa Point, where the 31st brigade was.

user.online.be/~snelders/sand.htm

 

(George is not listed on the Officer roll of the battalion at the outbreak of war shown on the same site.)

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RG Harman……………………Private

 

Name: HARMAN, ROBERT GEORGE

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: South Staffordshire Regiment Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Age: 19 Date of Death: 26/10/1917 Service No: 41726

Additional information: Son of Robert and Edith Ellen Harman, of 10, Eaton St., Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 90 to 92 and 162 to 162A. Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=838528

 

No match on Norlink

 

The 1901 Census has the 2 year old Robert G. living at 5 Bakers Arms Yard, Eaton. This is the household of his parents, Robert, (aged 26 and a Blacksmith from Beetley, Norfolk), and Edith, (aged 22 and from Eaton).

 

The battalion continued to have hard fights and none more so than those of 1917. The losses in officers continued high. The average age of replacements stayed roughly constant at 23 years, but the average accumulation of training and prior combat experience in the junior officers consistently increased over time until the battalion was practically annihilated at Tower Hamlets in late October 1917. This enrichment of experience was in part a natural consequence of the length of time in the field and the number of occasions on which the battalion went into action, but it was also due to a marked improvement in selection and training which began in early 1916.

www.1914-1918.net/myth_schoolboys.html

 

One of the Battle Honours of the 7th Division, of which the South Staffs were part is Second Battle of Passchendaele. 26 Oct-10 Nov 1917. While the main action on the first day was the comparatively successful attacks of Canadian troops, the attacks by British formations on the flanks of the main thrust were a costly failure.

www.cwgc.org/ypres/content.asp?menuid=36&submenuid=38... Passchendaele&menu=subsub

warpath.orbat.com/divs/7_div.htm

 

91 Bde

 

91 Bde attacked with 1st Bn, South Staffordshire Regt, 21st Bn, Manchester Regt and 2nd Bn, Queen’s Regt with 20th Manchesters in Support.

 

The Queen’s attempted to take Lewis House but were driven bck to the Start Line by MG fire as were the Manchesters. The South Staffs started well as they were in dead ground and they took a mound southwest of Hamp Farm. From here D Coy attempted to take the farm itself and C Coy attacked Berry Cottage. Both attacks were unsuccessful with the two companies suffering heavily from MG fire.

 

forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?t=11535&...

 

 

Done